XOMA Corporation
(
XOMA
) recently announced interim data from a phase II
proof-of-concept (POC) study on gevokizumab, which is being
developed for the treatment of inflammatory facial lesions in
patients suffering from moderate to severe acne vulgaris.
Gevokizumab is an interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) modulating
antibody. XOMA enrolled approximately 125 patients for the phase
II study till Jan 08, 2013. But the interim results from the
study considered data on approximately 92 patients.
Preliminary results from the study showed that the 0.6mg/kg
dose of gevokizumab demonstrated significant reduction of 19 in
mean inflammatory lesion count compared to that of a reduction of
13 in patients under placebo group on day 42. The difference was
maintained through out the study.
At day 84, the 0.6mg/kg dose group demonstrated a clinical and
statistical improvement in Investigator Global Assessment (IGA),
representing a 31% responder rate compared to that of a 5%
responder rate in the placebo group. On the other hand, the
0.2mg/kg dose group of the candidate did not show any clinical or
statistical differences compared to that of placebo in
inflammatory lesion count or in IGA.
We remind investors that the acne vulgaris market currently
has companies like
GlaxoSmithKline
(
GSK
).
We note that, in Jan 2011, XOMA entered into a partnership
with Les Laboratoires Servier to develop and commercialize
gevokizumab. In Nov 2012, XOMA and its partner Les Laboratoires
Servier initiated another proof-of-concept study to evaluate
patients who have experienced acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in
the past three to twelve months.
Currently, we have a long-term Neutral recommendation on XOMA.
The stock carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
However, other pharma companies that currently look
better-positioned include
Cambrex Corporation
(
CBM
) and
Targacept Inc.
(
TRGT
). Both stocks carry a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
CAMBREX CORP (CBM): Free Stock Analysis
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GLAXOSMITHKLINE (GSK): Free Stock Analysis
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TARGACEPT INC (TRGT): Free Stock Analysis
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XOMA CORP (XOMA): Free Stock Analysis Report
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